// Truman Brewery offices, shops and restaurants plan gets green light

// Critics say the complex will price out businesses from the site on Brick Lane

Plans for office space, shops and restaurants on the site of the Old Truman Brewery have been given the go-ahead by councillors despite thousands of objections.

A proposal put forward by Old Truman Brewery Ltd includes a part five-storey office building with ground and first floor commercial space and a basement gym at 140 Brick Lane, commercial units in the neighbouring building at 146 Brick Lane and refurbishment and extension of 25 Woodseer Street for a shop and office space.

The scheme is planned to feature more than 3,500 square metres of new office space, 15 retail units and two restaurants.

Critics of the scheme say the “multi-storey shopping mall” will be placed in the heart of the Bangladeshi community in Britain.

“Local businesses and people will be driven out through rising rents,” said Apsana Begum, Labour MP for the neighbouring Poplar and Limehouse constituency.

Despite the news, supporters have insisted that developers have given Tower Hamlets council assurances that small businesses will not be priced out.

They say any increased footfall it brings to the area will benefit neighbouring independent businesses.

Since ceasing beer production 25 years ago, the Old Truman Brewery has become a creative and cultural hub used by 300 mainly small businesses.

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